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Carter County Democrats awarded the first annual Garland Community Service Award of Excellence to Marilyn McGrath Boeker in a ceremony held at the group’s holiday dinner recently in Elizabethton.

The award is named for Millard Garland (1940-2022), who worked tirelessly for social betterment as a member of the Carter County Election Commission, the Democratic Party, the Shriners, and Masonic Watauga Lodge No. 622.

Marilyn Boeker’s early career was as a public school teacher in Chicago. After moving to Carter County 25 years ago she began her second career as a volunteer. She has held every office in the Elizabethton Business and Professional Women’s Club, as well as President of the District 1 B&PW Club in Tennessee. She served as the longtime Secretary of the Carter County Democratic Party, President of the local Democratic Women’s Club, Treasurer of Friends of the Library, and is an active member of her church.

“HerCM1222 commitment to community and helping others deserves our respect, appreciation, and support,” said Pat Buck of the local Democrat Women’s Club and Carter County Democratic Party.

The Garland Award will be given annually to others who exemplify the same spirit of service as Marilyn Boeker and Millard Garland.